Covidien PLC Stock Buy Recommendation Reiterated (COV)

Editor's Note: TheStreet ratings do not represent the views of TheStreet's staff or its contributors. Ratings are established by computer based on metrics for performance (which includes growth, stock performance, efficiency and valuation) and risk (volatility and solvency). Companies with poor cash flow or high debt levels tend to earn lower ratings in our model.

NEW YORK ( TheStreet) -- Covidien (NYSE: COV) has been reiterated by TheStreet Ratings as a buy with a ratings score of B . The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, notable return on equity, attractive valuation levels, good cash flow from operations and expanding profit margins. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had sub par growth in net income.

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Highlights from the ratings report include:

COV's revenue growth has slightly outpaced the industry average of 4.7%. Since the same quarter one year prior, revenues slightly increased by 2.8%. This growth in revenue does not appear to have trickled down to the company's bottom line, displayed by a decline in earnings per share.

The return on equity has improved slightly when compared to the same quarter one year prior. This can be construed as a modest strength in the organization. Compared to other companies in the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry and the overall market, COVIDIEN PLC's return on equity exceeds that of both the industry average and the S&P 500.

Net operating cash flow has slightly increased to $721.00 million or 1.54% when compared to the same quarter last year. In addition, COVIDIEN PLC has also modestly surpassed the industry average cash flow growth rate of -6.40%.

The gross profit margin for COVIDIEN PLC is rather high; currently it is at 63.20%. It has increased from the same quarter the previous year. Regardless of the strong results of the gross profit margin, the net profit margin of 15.10% trails the industry average.

Covidien Public Limited Company develops, manufactures, and sells healthcare products for use in clinical and home settings in the United States and internationally. Covidien has a market cap of $26.9 billion and is part of the health care sector and health services industry. The company has a P/E ratio of 14.3, below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are up 24.5% year to date as of the close of trading on Wednesday.

Ikaria, which focuses on therapies for critically ill infants, is privately owned by a group led by Madison Dearborn Partners. Buyer Mallinckrodt specializes in diagnostic radiology and pain management.